Wednesday, 25 May 2011

HomLet the Landlord and Tenant insurance specilaist has just sent out it's May newsletter to agents.

One of the topics that took my eye was their comment about the great weather that many have been experiencing, especially in south east England recently and some of the possible perils summer brings?

• If a window cleaner, gardener or tenant injures themselves on your property, are you covered if they sue you?• Do you have expensive garden furniture and BBQ’s in your garden?• Do you have emergency assistance cover if a disaster at your property was to happen this summer?

No one wants to dwell on the worst, but as a conscientious landlord you must prepare for these possible eventualities. Often putting something right after a disaster is much more costly and difficult than being prepared.

Many people will be aware of specialist landlord’s insurance tailored specifically for rental properties, but when HomeLet conducted some independent research with landlords, they discovered a massive 73%* of landlords with more than six properties are not aware of specialist landlord insurance and could have substandard cover.

Thursday, 12 May 2011

(Left: The height of the Mississipi River just outside New Orleans in late May 2011 photo jml Property services)

There has been very serious flooding in Memphis, a southern US city in the state of Tennessee this week. According to media reports, the Mississippi River has peaked at just under 48ft / 14.6m.

In February 1937 it peaked at the record height of 48.7ft.

Last week a relative was driving through Graceland, the famous home of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley and there was a great deal of rain when he was in the area.

Heavy winters in the upper midwest and an extremely wet April – with 600% more rain than normal in some southern states – have turned 2011 into a season of floods along the Mississippi’s 2,320-mile route.There were tremendous snowfalls in the Rockies last December. When the snow melted, the water flowed into the rivers that drain into the Mississippi.

After this all the clearing up has to be done. Sounds like floods in the Tewkesbury area in 2007....but on a much larger scale.

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Endsleigh insurance issued a Press Release just before the recent Royal Wedding "80% of uni students think they will be ‘the next Will and Kate’"

A new survey by specialist student insurance provider Endsleigh reveals that over two thirds (80%) of university students past and present have, or think they will meet the love of their life at university - just like Prince William and Kate Middleton.

According to the survey, British universities are hotbeds of romance as well as academia. One in three (35%) of all respondents say they did meet the love of their life at university, while another 45% expect to meet their significant other.

For many students living away from home for the first time, university represents a chance to meet their first ever love – Endsleigh’s results show that 36% say that they think they will, or already have met them. However, not all respondents are as optimistic about love at university – two fifths (39%) of respondents have suffered (or expect to suffer) a broken heart.

Perhaps surprisingly, the most romantic region in the UK wasn’t Scotland, where Prince William and Kate Middleton famously fell in love, but the Midlands. The results show that 66% of current students from universities including Coventry, Birmingham, Loughborough and Nottingham Trent say they have, or will find the love of their lives.

Vicki O’Connell, Communications Manager at Endsleigh said:“In the spirit of the Royal Wedding we asked students and graduates whether, like Prince William and Kate, they found their other half at university. Our survey shows that plenty of students are finding romance, as well as furthering their careers, at university.

“But sadly not all these couples will live happily ever after like the Prince and his Princess. The results show that many students may have to kiss a number of frogs before they find ‘The One’. As number one student insurer we pride ourselves on protecting cherished possessions, but sadly we can’t insure against a broken heart. We can make sure that your treasured iPod to play your love songs is safe though!”

Notes about this News Release from Endsleigh Insurance

Endsleigh’s Royal Wedding survey was conducted in early April 2011 and received 213 responses from students and graduates.

Endsleigh is the trusted brand for student insurance, and the only insurance provider recommended by NUS. Originally founded in 1965 to serve the student market, Endsleigh has since broadened its products and services for graduates and professionals, as well as being the preferred insurance supplier for a variety of trade unions and professional organisations. The company offers a wide range of services including motor, home and travel insurance.

Endsleigh also offers business insurance through Endsleigh’s Business team and financial advice through Endsleigh Financial Advice team.